Many parts of the country managed to log decent economic activity in September and early October, even amid the soaring energy prices and other repercussions from hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The Federal Reserve's survey released Wednesday provided the latest snapshot of business conditions nationwide in the aftermath of Katrina, the most costly natural disaster in U.S. history, and Rita.

It's good to know there is a great deal of economic activity going on, as Gulf Coast residents are attempting to put their lives back together after the hurricanes.

The Commerce Department reported that housing construction unexpectedly rose in September to the highest level in seven months. This is not a surprise, since many homes were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

In some cases, construction was a necessity to repair damaged homes. In other instances, people needed a new place to live.

Floating casinos that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina can be rebuilt on solid ground under legislation signed Monday by Gov. Haley Barbour that could lead to major changes in the tourism industry along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

A high amount of economic activity was actually a necessity because families lost everything. People had to buy new clothes and other essesntials. There was much activity in the insurance business.

In addition to the economic activity in the Gulf Coast, there was much cause for activity in surrounding states.

When the evacuation process from the Gulf Coast started, many families stayed in hotels. Not only did gas prices rise, there was more need than usual for fuel since families were traveling long distances. To top it off, more building materials and shipping were needed.

While it was a shame there were the tragedies of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we are glad to see people are using the economic resources, which surround them to revitalize the Gulf Coast.

There have been plenty of negative effects on the economy from the hurricanes. Businesses have closed, people are out of work and less business is coming into the Gulf Coast because so many people have evacuated.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were misfortunes, to put it mildly. However, it is nice to see people making the best out of a bad situation.